"Shouldn't we have a plan?" A.J. asks as all the guys put wigs and glasses on as disguises, as they drive to the airport.
"And how exactly do you make a plan for something like this?" Kevin asks.
"I mean, what are we supposed to say to him? Just tell him not to go? Do you actually think he'll listen? Maybe we're stupid for chasing after him. Maybe he should go after Leigh," A.J. says, second-guessing their idea to stop Brian.
"A.J, just shut up, OK? Of course we should stop him from going after her," Kevin snaps.
"Whatever man."
They reach the airport and Kevin parks the jeep at the curb. They all get out and run into the airport and to the waiting area of the airline they usually use, desperate to catch Brian before he boards his plane. They look around the waiting area and spot Brian over in the corner. They walk over to him and he looks up.
"If you came here to stop me from going after her, you're wasting your time," Brian mumbles.
"C'mon B, I know it hurts man, but it's over. Don't make a fool of yourself by chasing after her," A.J. says trying to talk some sense into him.
"Listen," Brian says, half shouting. He looks around and quiets his voice. "I'm not going to make a fool of myself. She's just confused. We've been apart for a while and she forgot how much we love each other," he says. "Once I'm with her I can convince her that she's made a mistake. That we're meant to be together."
The guys look at Brian with pity in their eyes.
"C'mon Brian. You're upset. Just come back to the hotel and think this over some more," Kevin says.
Brian says nothing.
"Guys, can I talk to Brian alone for a minute?" Nick asks, taking the seat next to him.
"Sure," Kevin responds, not knowing what else to say to his cousin. He, A.J. and Howie walk away to give Nick and Brian some privacy.
"Do you know why Leighanne broke up with you?" Nick asks with sensitivity in his voice.
"'Cause she's confused, man," Brian answers, staring blankly at the ground.
"No man, she's found someone else," Nick says softly, water filling his eyes at the sight of his best friend in so much pain.
"What? Where'd you hear that?" Brian asks, seeming shocked and angry.
"Leighanne told Ally."
Brian is silent for a minute. "Well Ally lied to you 'cause that's not true." He shakes his head, trying to convince himself that what he's just heard isn't true.
"Yes it is, B. Leigh is with someone else now," Nick says quietly, trying to give his friend a reality check. "Just come back to the hotel with us, man."
Fourty Five minutes after they'd left, Nick, Kevin, Howie and A.J return with Brian. Carolyn and I are still in my room talking when we hear the elevator.
"They're back," Carolyn looks at me with worry.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they found Brian and brought him back," I say, trying to sound sure, though I'm really not.
Just then Nick and AJ come into the room. Nick's eyes are a bit red and he looks tired.
"How'd it go?" Carolyn asks cautiously.
"We got him," A.J. says simply. "He and Kevin are in his room now."
"Good," Carolyn and I both reply.
I stand up and go over to Nick. I wrap my arms around him. "You OK, baby?" I ask softly, seeing the distress in his eyes.
He sighs. "Yeah... It's just hard to see Brian like that," he explains.
"I know."
"Listen, can I talk to you in my room for a bit, C?" A.J. asks Carolyn.
"Yeah of course," Carolyn replies, seeming a bit surprised.
A.J. opens the door and they both leave to go talk in his room.
"Wonder what that's about," Nick says as he sits down on the bed.
I shrug.
"Umm, I've gotta talk to you about something," A.J. says, seeming a bit nervous.
Carolyn sits on the edge of the bed. "I'm all ears."
"You've talked to Ally, right?" he asks, now pacing slowly in front of the bed.
"About you and me?" she asks.
"Yeah."
"Yeah, I have."
"Good." He stops pacing and sits down next to her. "I've been thinking about us a lot these past few days, Carolyn." He pauses. "Lately when we're together I've been getting that feeling in my stomach... You know like when you first meet someone that you're really attracted to?" he explains.
Carolyn smiles.
"And it's weird because we've known eachother for so long now and we ended our relationship under such bad circumstances... I just didn't expect to feel this way again." He looks into her eyes.
"I know I told Ally that I wasn't ready to start a relationship so soon, but I was wrong... Seeing Brian lose the love of his life made me wake up. I mean what if I waited for two more weeks and in that two weeks you met some other guy who swept you off your feet? It would really hurt. And the reason it would really hurt is because I still have feelings for you." He takes an deep breath. "I guess what I'm trying to say is: I want you back. I want to be in a relationship with you and only you."
"Whoa," Carolyn laughs. "I wasn't expecting that," she smiles.
"So, what do you say? Are you willing to give US another shot?" He puts his hand on hers.
"Definitely," she says happily, wrapping him in a hug. "It feels so good to be back in your arms."